Apr 7, 2017

You see more and more pre-teens with smartphones. While some parents resist giving their kids phones until they hit their middle-school or high school years, more and more are saying "yes."

When kids get a smartphone, it immediately becomes an indispensable device. Want to know how much pre-teens like their smartphones? A survey was done among them that asked the question, "What device would you choose if you could only have one?" Would it be their tablet? Video game system? Laptop?

45% of pre-teen girls say their smartphone would be their one and only device if they had to choose. This represents a 36% increase in the last 3 years. 27% of pre-teen boys say their smartphone would be their one and only device if they had to choose. This also represents a 36% increase in the last 3 years. These results show that the smartphone has become tween's preferred handheld device. 46% of pre-teens currently own a smartphone. 9% of pre-teens boys and 23% of pre-teen girls say they are saving their money to buy a smartphone. The number of pre-teens who own smartphones will continue to rise.

Ministries that want to effectively connect with pre-teens will take this into consideration and find ways to connect with them via their smartphones. Here are some questions to think about.

What smartphone apps can be developed that will help disciple pre-teens?

How can ministries use social media to reach pre-teens?

How can smartphones be used to bring pre-teens and their parents together for spiritual conversations during the week?

How can ministries ensure that they are following safety and security guidelines and protect kids while interacting with them through their smartphones?

How can smartphones be used during a lesson to teach kids Biblical truth?

How can we equip pre-teens to share their faith with their friends through their smartphones?